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Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Classic Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs featuring tender herb-seasoned meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti for a comforting, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Pasta

  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • Salt for pasta water
  • Extra Parmesan and fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Combine ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, finely chopped garlic and onion, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently but thoroughly to evenly season and bind the meat.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs using your hands or a small scoop. Place meatballs evenly spaced on a tray or plate.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides to seal in juices and develop flavor through caramelization. Remove and set aside once browned.
  4. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté additional garlic and onion until translucent. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and fresh basil leaves. Let the sauce simmer gently to build rich flavors.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes to tenderize the meatballs and infuse flavors.
  6. Cook the Spaghetti: Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  7. Serve: Plate the spaghetti, spoon meatballs and sauce over top, and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil. Serve hot for best taste.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs like basil and parsley for enhanced flavor and aroma.
  • Mix meatball ingredients gently to avoid dense texture.
  • Properly brown meatballs for a savory crust and deeper flavor.
  • Simmer meatballs low and slow to ensure tenderness and flavor absorption.
  • Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling smoothly to spaghetti.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian, spaghetti, meatballs, classic recipe, comfort food, tomato sauce, homemade pasta dish

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/italian-spaghetti-and-meatballs/